Coach says Caracter on track academically

Mike Hughes

01/09/2006

Notre Dame Prep coach Bill Barton said Monday that 6-9 Louisville signee Derrick Caracter has made progress academically since transferring from St. Patrick's (NJ). Over the weekend, Caracter made the trip to Rhode Island to watch his future team pull out an important Big East road win over the Providence Friars.

After watching his future team in action, Caracter, who transferred to Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass. last fall, returned to help lead his prep school team to an important 84-80 win over South Kent (CT) Prep Sunday afternoon.

"He's doing OK," Notre Dame coach Bill Barton said Monday morning. "Yesterday he had eight great defensive rebounds and four block in 16 minutes against South Kent."

With Caracter in the lineup this season, Notre Dame has jumped out to an impressive 14-0 record. Barton said the 6-9, 280-pound Caracter has made a difference on the boards for his team.

"The best thing that he's got going for him is that he's a terrific defensive rebounder," Barton said. "He's a horse on the defensive boards."

The word on the street this season is that Caracter's weight has once again become an issue that has hindered his play on the court. Barton didn't deny that assessment.

"I won't say anything negative about one of our players, but we have kids who are in better shape," he admitted.

Barton also said Caracter has made some important strides academically since transferring from St. Patrick's (NJ).

"He's made tremendous progress academically since he's been here," Barton said. "He's a very smart kid, very bright and articulate. I think he's on track to (qualify) academically. He's not going to have any problems going to college and doing the work."